The Church at Smyrna! Rev. 2:8-11 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who

was dead, and came to life: "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.

Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have

tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. "He who has an ear, let him

hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

The city of Smyrna▪Smyrna was 40 miles north of Ephesus and it

too was a very prosperous city in its day, with over 100,000 people.

▪It possessed a safe harbor where ships from all over the world came to buy & sell.

▪It was known as the “Crown City” because it was surrounded by hills that resembled a crown.

▪It was famous for the production of myrrh, which came from a shrub-like tree.

▸Mt. 2:1-12 one of three gifts given to baby Jesus

Smyrna is one of the only two churches that is not commanded to repent by

Jesus!▪If given a choice, it would seem that this is

the last congregation one would willing be a part of in their day!

▪Most everything they had going for them, was also going against them!

▪Less is written to them than any of the other 7 churches!

▪They did not allow their suffering to separate them from the Savior!

I. They Were a Crushed Church!▪Where they are “now!”

▸Rev 2:9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

▪What was “coming!”

▸Rev 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Things will get worse before they get better!

▪They faced persecution!

▸They are in tribulations now (vs. 9) and more tribulations are coming (vs. 10)

▪They faced poverty!

▸What do we learn about them from this statement? Had the persecution had a financial effect on them? Yet, Jesus goes on to say that “but you are rich!”

▪They faced prison!

▸From where did Paul write 4 books?

Polycarp preacher at SmyrnaHistory states that he was a disciple of John

▪He was arrested in 155 AD because he refused to declare that “Caesar was Lord!”

▪He was given a chance when arrested to renounce his faith, but he refused stating “86 years I have served Jesus and He has never did me injury, how can I blaspheme my King & Savior?”

▪He was then taken to be burned at the stake, and when they went to tie his hands, to refused and stated that Jesus would give him strength to endure this death!

II. They Were a Consistent Church! ▪How many of you have heard the

statement, “what ever doesn’t break you, makes you!” This was indeed true of them!

▪If anyone had reason to waver it would seem that it would be them, but they are unwavering in their faith!

▪They will not allow anything to keep them from going home to heaven!

▪Even as consistent as they are, they need reassurance that it is not in vain!

You are doing good, now don’t give up!▪They had a positive testimony!

▸Jesus was aware of their walk of faith and He was pleased! They were doing things right even though it seemed everything had gone wrong!

▪They had a powerful testimony!

▸Jesus declares “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those”

▸They were living proof of genuine faith! Regardless of what is going on around us, we can stay true to Jesus!

III. They Were a Comforted Church!One would think that this point makes no

sense, seeing it is a paradoxical statement!▪At first this point seems to be a contradiction,

but I can assure you it isn’t!

▪It only appears to be when looking at it through a limited scope!

▪Both them and us must learn to see the bigger picture!

▪It is important for us to never become short sighted, but to remember we are not as others that have no hope! (1 Thess. 4:13f)

This life is only the starting point and not the stopping point of our existence!

The best is yet to come for the Christian!▪They had the “Interest of Heaven!”

▸The Lord of glory has taken a personal interest in them! “I know thy works!”

▸I know you have it rough, but I have not forgotten you! (Jn. 14:1-3) “I go ... for you!”

▪They had the “Involvement of Heaven!”

▸God was using them even though they may not have fully understood it!

▸Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

They have the interest & involvement “of” Heaven and they have a investment &

inheritance “in” Heaven!▪Their “Investment in Heaven!”

▸“I know your poverty (but you are rich!)”

▸They were lacking in “this world’s goods” but not in what was coming! (Mt. 6:19-21)

▪Their “Inheritance in Heaven!”

▸“I will give you a crown of life!”

▸They may lose it all down here, but they will gain it all up there!

▸“if our earthly house, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1)

Conclusion:▪A congregation that seemingly had nothing

really possessed everything of true value!

▪What if the church at Smyrna was to sing the song “this world is not my home!” Do you think it might have a deeper meaning to them?

▪Don't give up on God simply because this world has turned on you! God is greater than the present!

▪Rev 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: